The Girlfriend Movie Review – Rashmika Mandanna Shines in an Intense Romantic Drama

Overview

The Girlfriend starring Rashmika Mandanna is a 2025 Telugu romantic-drama that dives deep into themes of love, control and emotional vulnerability. Directed by Rahul Ravindran, the film stands out for its female-centric narrative and Rashmika’s powerful performance.

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✨ Story Summary

The film follows Bhoomi Devi (Rashmika Mandanna), a literature student who falls in love with Vikram (Dheekshith Shetty).
What starts as a warm, affectionate relationship slowly transforms into a suffocating and emotionally draining bond.

The movie explores:

• Toxic love
• Controlling relationships
• Patriarchy
• A woman’s fight for identity and independence

This isn’t a typical romantic entertainer — it is a psychological and emotional journey.

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🌟 Performances

Rashmika Mandanna – The Heart of the Film

Rashmika delivers one of her strongest performances. She portrays fear, love, pain and self-discovery with complete authenticity.
Her emotional scenes — especially the panic attack sequence — stand out as some of the most impactful moments in the film.

Dheekshith Shetty

He plays the complex role of a possessive partner. His character is intentionally unsettling, and he delivers it convincingly.

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🎬 Technical Highlights

Direction: Rahul Ravindran handles the subject with seriousness and depth.
Music: Hesham Abdul Wahab’s emotional background score adds soul to the film.
Cinematography: Visually beautiful, especially during the emotional breakdown scenes.
Editing: Some parts feel slow and stretched.

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👍 What Works

• Rashmika’s brilliant performance
• Strong emotional storyline
• Realistic portrayal of toxic relationships
• Beautiful music
• Fresh female-centric narrative

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👎 What Doesn’t

• Slow pacing in the second half
• Male character feels one-dimensional
• Some scenes feel repetitive
• Not suitable for those expecting a light romantic film

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⭐ Ratings (Based on Critics’ Averages)

• Indian Express: 3.5/5
• Overall Average Rating: 3/5

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🎯 Final Verdict

The Girlfriend is a bold and emotionally heavy drama powered by Rashmika Mandanna’s exceptional performance.
It might not appeal to viewers looking for a fun, commercial love story, but for those who appreciate layered characters and realistic storytelling, this film is definitely worth watching.